Amalie Dideriksen sprints to world title

15 October 2016

Boels-Dolmans Cycling Team scored its 41st win of the season in spectacular fashion. Amalie Dideriksen won the 2016 UCI Road World Championships in Doha, Qatar on Saturday to pull on the rainbow jersey. The second-year elite has ridden with Boels-Dolmans since she moved up from the junior ranks following her back-to-back road world titles in the junior women’s category.

“I think it’s a surprise for everyone,” said the Dane, immediately following her win. “I had dreamt of a medal or to win this one day, but now, at 20…”

The 134-kilometre race that determined the new world champion unfolded predictably. An early but easily controlled breakaway dominated the first half of the race. Relentless attacks by the Dutch, including Boels-Dolmans duo Chantal Blaak and Ellen van Dijk, dominated the second of the race.

Dideriksen rode safely near the front of the peloton as she navigated around the numerous sweeping bends and corners that featured in the 15-kilometre, eight-lap circuit race.

A crash before the start of lap three saw Dideriksen distanced from the bunch.

Wild opened the sprint and would later admit she jumped too soon. Dideriksen came around Wild metres before the line to win the world title by a bike throw.

“It’s unbelievable,” Dideriksen said. “I was going for a top ten.”

Just beyond the finish line, defending champion Lizzie Deignan (née Armitstead) was the first to congratulate Dideriksen. The Briton narrowly missed a lessor spot on the podium, sprinting in for fourth place.

Dideriksen’s win keeps the rainbow jersey with Boels-Dolmans for a second straight season.

“It’s really special to have the jersey again in the team,” said Boels-Dolmans team manager Danny Stam. “Something like will never feel normal. It’s absolutely the best finish to our best season to win two world titles.”

Dolmans Landscaping Group Director Erwin Janssen echoed Stam’s sentiments: “After such an unforgettable season, this means a lot. It was so cool from our Amalie to win the rainbow jersey. She who dares, wins.”